Thankful for Specialized Hand Surgery and Occupational Therapy
Hand/Wrist Surgery and OT Patient, Dow Chemical Retiree, Outdoor Enthusiast
"Thanks to the expertise of my care team, I can do anything I did before my hand/wrist surgery. It’s truly remarkable."
Patricia Sibbald, 82-year-old retiree from Dow Chemical, found herself in excruciating pain after falling on pavement. A severe compound fracture in her right hand took her from the Emergency Department at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland immediately into surgery. She was relieved to see Curtis Young, M.D., in the operating room; he had repaired two cases of stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger fingers) for her previously, and she trusted him. After surgery, Sibbald worked with Occupational Therapist Landon Reed. O.T.R.L., and is back with her trainer doing pushups like it never happened. She couldn’t be more grateful.
It was an unusually temperate day in February when Sibbald was chatting with neighbors and their dog in their driveway. She bent down to pick up a ball to throw for the dog, it excitedly ran into her causing a fall. It happened so quickly, she didn’t have time to catch herself, falling with all her weight onto her right hand. She knew right away that it was broken.
“I have to tell you, it hurt like the dickens. I don’t remember ever being in so much pain,” she said. “I have played with my neighbors’ dog many times. It was simply an accident. My friend took me to the ER immediately. The team there was so quick to help and very kind.”
After a speedy triage, Sibbald was ushered into surgery. Her pain was under control when she entered the OR, and she greeted Dr. Young with a sense of humor: “We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” she joked. Dr. Young spent several hours repairing the significant fracture; bone was exposed and there were breaks in a least three places that needed to be realigned and stabilized.
Sibbald was amazed to be released the next morning and have so little pain after surgery. Her follow-ups with Dr. Young were positive, and she was healing well. “Dr. Young did such an amazing job. I followed all of his instructions after surgery. You can barely even see the stitching.”
When she received the green light from Dr. Young, Sibbald began working with Landon at MyMichigan Rehabilitation Services in Midland for her occupational therapy. Admitting she was tentative to use her wrist in the beginning, Sibbald quickly became comfortable with Landon as her guide. “Landon was encouraging and caring,” she said. “I kept all my appointments, followed his guidance and was diligent with my exercises at home. Now, I can do anything I did before my surgery. It’s truly remarkable.”
Sibbald is back working with her trainer and loves to take walks. She looks forward to tending her garden this summer and doing some hiking. “Thanks to the expertise of my care team, I’m not limited in any way as a result of this injury,” she said. “Midland is lucky to have the caliber of doctors and therapists that are available at MyMichigan Health.”
Those who would like more information about the specialized musculoskeletal services available at MyMichigan Health, may visit www.mymichigan.org/msk.
